Good folks of UU - I'm looking for your opinions and advice!
Today I returned to my ukes after a break. Coming back with fresh ears and fingers, I am beginning to evaluate my remaining ukes and question whether they still fit in the roster... or if it is time for a change! Over the years, I have accumulated several (factory) ukes of different sizes and brands. These are the three remaining ukes in the roster:
Uke #1: Pono MC (mahogany concert, satin)
Got this from HMS three years ago. I didn't love it at first - I found it on the quiet side and lacking sustain. When I changed the original strings to fluorocarbon, there was more sustain but I still found it rather quiet. Last year, I changed back to the original strings on a whim and, to my surprise, I rather liked them. The sound with these strings is punchy/percussive, which is particularly good for some songs, and my fingers have gained more strength to be able to work with the thicker nylon strings. Today, I put a wound low G string on this uke, and I really like the combo of percussive treble strings over the ringing sustain from the low G.
Conclusion: this will stay in the roster for a while, as I find the sound rather unique compared to my other ukes, past and present.
Uke #2: Cordoba 30T (mahogany tenor, gloss)
Bought this from HMS at the same time as the Pono . At the time, this was my favorite out of the two. However, over the years I find I haven't spent too much time on it compared to other ukes. Maybe I'm more of a concert gal, or maybe the sound is too clean and clinical for my ears (currently using Worth brown strings). The sound is perfectly fine - effortlessly ringing, full of sustain - it just doesn't reach me emotionally ..yet.
Conclusion: unknown. Should I give it more play time? Experiment with strings? Or move on?
Uke #3: Kala SLNG (mahogany long-neck soprano, concert scale, gloss)
Got this from Mim just earlier this year. At the time I was travelling quite a bit and wanted a small laminate for convenience and stability. Things change - I don't travel as much with my uke anymore. It's still nice to have this low-maintenance uke lying around the house, especially now that it's winter with heating on, I don't have to worry about this one much. I love the gloss finish, and the sound holds its own surprisingly well against the two all-solids - it is louder than the Pono when I want volume and warmer than the Cordoba to my ears.
Conclusion: unknown. I am pleased with it, but the original use case (travelling) doesn't exist anymore.
New Uke Options
I find that 2-3 is a good number of ukes for me. I do want to try a new/different uke - this would require selling 1-2 of the existing ones.
I would like to experiment with other types of wood: spruce? cedar? koa/acacia? I don't have a good dealer locally with a variety of options to try out in-store, so I will have to purchase based on Internet research.
Brand-wise, I'm also curious about KoAloha Opio and Romero Creations Tiny Tenor/ST Concert.
I still need to figure out whether to go with concert scale entirely, or keep a tenor around in case my preference changes.
I know these are personal decisions, but given that I am so darn confused, your suggestions/opinions are greatly appreciated. Or if you like, please share your own roster review as well!
Today I returned to my ukes after a break. Coming back with fresh ears and fingers, I am beginning to evaluate my remaining ukes and question whether they still fit in the roster... or if it is time for a change! Over the years, I have accumulated several (factory) ukes of different sizes and brands. These are the three remaining ukes in the roster:
Uke #1: Pono MC (mahogany concert, satin)
Got this from HMS three years ago. I didn't love it at first - I found it on the quiet side and lacking sustain. When I changed the original strings to fluorocarbon, there was more sustain but I still found it rather quiet. Last year, I changed back to the original strings on a whim and, to my surprise, I rather liked them. The sound with these strings is punchy/percussive, which is particularly good for some songs, and my fingers have gained more strength to be able to work with the thicker nylon strings. Today, I put a wound low G string on this uke, and I really like the combo of percussive treble strings over the ringing sustain from the low G.
Conclusion: this will stay in the roster for a while, as I find the sound rather unique compared to my other ukes, past and present.
Uke #2: Cordoba 30T (mahogany tenor, gloss)
Bought this from HMS at the same time as the Pono . At the time, this was my favorite out of the two. However, over the years I find I haven't spent too much time on it compared to other ukes. Maybe I'm more of a concert gal, or maybe the sound is too clean and clinical for my ears (currently using Worth brown strings). The sound is perfectly fine - effortlessly ringing, full of sustain - it just doesn't reach me emotionally ..yet.
Conclusion: unknown. Should I give it more play time? Experiment with strings? Or move on?
Uke #3: Kala SLNG (mahogany long-neck soprano, concert scale, gloss)
Got this from Mim just earlier this year. At the time I was travelling quite a bit and wanted a small laminate for convenience and stability. Things change - I don't travel as much with my uke anymore. It's still nice to have this low-maintenance uke lying around the house, especially now that it's winter with heating on, I don't have to worry about this one much. I love the gloss finish, and the sound holds its own surprisingly well against the two all-solids - it is louder than the Pono when I want volume and warmer than the Cordoba to my ears.
Conclusion: unknown. I am pleased with it, but the original use case (travelling) doesn't exist anymore.
New Uke Options
I find that 2-3 is a good number of ukes for me. I do want to try a new/different uke - this would require selling 1-2 of the existing ones.
I would like to experiment with other types of wood: spruce? cedar? koa/acacia? I don't have a good dealer locally with a variety of options to try out in-store, so I will have to purchase based on Internet research.
Brand-wise, I'm also curious about KoAloha Opio and Romero Creations Tiny Tenor/ST Concert.
I still need to figure out whether to go with concert scale entirely, or keep a tenor around in case my preference changes.
I know these are personal decisions, but given that I am so darn confused, your suggestions/opinions are greatly appreciated. Or if you like, please share your own roster review as well!